Each of us acquire information in a variety of ways. It is said, that through the five senses, the average person, takes in 2,000,000 bits of information per second. Far too much information for us to manage on a moment by moment basis. The notion further states that our conscious mind can only process 7+/-2* chunks of information per second which equates to approximately 134 bits per second.
It doesn’t take a math degree, to see that our fantastic senses make available far more information than the conscious mind can usefully cope with – so what happens to the rest? It is said, that it passes through our ‘filtering system’. This system deletes, distorts, generalises, etc the information and chunks it into smaller pieces of information that we see as ‘useful’. Each of us also have ‘preferences’ as to how WE, as individuals, learn, process and retain the information in our lives.
Knowing these preferences and matching them with specific and individual learning strategies, can make a HUGE difference to students’ learning outcomes.
What Are the Different Learning Styles?
Below is a very brief introduction to some of these preferential learning styles.
1. Visual/Verbal
This type of learner does best when they have the opportunity to both listen to and look at the information. They like to look and speak about the information. For them, it is useful to take the time to explain things verbally and to back up that information with visual examples.
2. Auditory/Verbal?
An auditory and verbal learner learns best by listening and talking through problems. In order for this type of learner to be successful, they need to be able talk about their ideas and work through what they are learning. They learn through hearing things, but they are also good at writing essays and short answer responses.
3. Tactile/Kinesthetic
The tactile and kinesthetic learner learns best by doing. This student may come across as having nervous energy, but it is just how they process information. They are not being disrespectful if they fidget while listening or learning.
Knowing some of this information and backing it up with appropriate learnings strategies and techniques, helps us to accelerate the learning process.
If you are curious as to how your child best learns, book your assessment today.